Hybrid

Brandywine Red Maple

Acer rubrum 'Brandywine'

A superior red maple cultivar selected for its outstanding fall color that develops earlier and lasts longer than typical red maples. This fast-growing native produces brilliant orange-red to deep red autumn foliage that's among the most reliable and intense of any maple variety. Its adaptability to various soil conditions and consistent performance make it an excellent choice for homeowners wanting guaranteed fall color.

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

2–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

40-120 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Showing dates for Brandywine Red Maple in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 shade-tree →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Brandywine Red Maple · Zones 2–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing35-40 feet from structures

SoilAdaptable, prefers moist, well-drained acidic soil

pH5.5-6.5

WaterModerate — regular watering

SeasonSpring and Summer

FlavorN/A

ColorRed flowers in spring, green summer foliage, brilliant orange-red fall color

SizeLarge shade tree, 30-35 foot spread

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 2	—	July – August	—	—
Zone 3	—	June – August	—	—
Zone 4	—	June – July	—	—
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	—
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	—
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	—
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	—
Zone 9	—	March – May	—	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasional Flooding, Occasionally Dry, Occasionally Wet. Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 120 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: more than 60 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Root Cutting, Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

The paired, winged, fruit is in a "V" shaped, red, pink, or yellow, winged samara about 3/4 of an inch long on drooping stems. They turn tan or brown when mature and drop from the plant. In North Carolina, the samaras are available from April to July.

Color: Brown/Copper, Gold/Yellow, Red/Burgundy, Variegated. Type: Samara. Length: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Showy

Harvest time: Spring, Summer

Edibility: The sap contains sugar and this can be used as a drink or be concentrated into a syrup by boiling off the water. The syrup is used as a sweetener on many foods. This species only yields about half the quantity obtained from the sugar maple (A. saccharum).

Storage & Preservation

Not applicable. Brandywine Red Maple is an ornamental shade tree grown for landscape display, not for harvest or consumption. Storage and preservation practices are not relevant to this variety. Instead, focus on tree maintenance: prune during dormancy (late fall to early spring), water regularly during establishment, mulch around the base to retain moisture, and protect young trees from extreme weather. For long-term health, ensure adequate spacing, proper drainage, and periodic fertilization for acidic soils.

History & Origin

Origin: Newfoundland to Florida West to Minnesota Oklahoma and Texas.

Advantages

+Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Moths, Pollinators, Small Mammals, Songbirds, Specialized Bees
+Edible: The sap contains sugar and this can be used as a drink or be concentrated into a syrup by boiling off the water. The syrup is used as a sweetener on many foods. This species only yields about half the quantity obtained from the sugar maple (A. saccharum).
+Fast-growing
+Low maintenance

Companion Plants

Shade-tolerant groundcovers are this tree's best neighbors because they don't compete hard for water at the 5.5–6.5 pH Brandywine prefers, and they protect the shallow feeder roots from foot traffic and mower damage. Hosta, Astilbe, and Coral Bells all perform well in dappled light under the canopy; Ferns and Wild Ginger hold up better once the tree matures and the dry shade deepens. Skip Turf Grass under the drip line entirely — it fights hard for surface moisture, loses slowly, and the mowing pressure on the root zone does real damage over time. Black Walnut needs 50 feet of clearance minimum; its juglone load is high enough that Acer rubrum — even a well-established one — will show dieback within a season or two of contact.

Plant Together

Hosta

Thrives in maple's shade and complements root systems without competition

Astilbe

Enjoys filtered shade and moist soil conditions created by maple canopy

Coral Bells

Shallow roots don't compete with maple, tolerates shade and seasonal leaf drop

Wild Ginger

Native groundcover that thrives under maple canopy and suppresses weeds

Ferns

Natural woodland companions that utilize different soil layers and moisture

Azalea

Shallow roots coexist well, both prefer acidic soil conditions

Pachysandra

Dense groundcover that prevents soil erosion under maple's drip line

Impatiens

Annual shade lover that benefits from maple's filtered light and leaf mulch

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Releases juglone toxin that can stress maple trees and inhibit growth

Norway Maple

Aggressive root system competes for nutrients and water, creates dense shade

Turf Grass

Competes heavily for surface water and nutrients, requires frequent watering that can stress maple roots

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good disease resistance, few serious problems

Common Pests

Aphids, scale insects, maple gall mites

Diseases

Occasionally leaf scorch, tar spot, or anthracnose

Troubleshooting Brandywine Red Maple

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Leaf margins turning brown and crispy by midsummer, often on the outermost branches first

Likely Causes

Leaf scorch — caused by heat, drought stress, or compacted soil limiting water uptake
Reflected heat from pavement or structures within 10-15 feet of the trunk

What to Do

1.Water deeply (2-3 inches per week) during dry spells, especially in the first 3 years after transplant
2.Mulch a 4-inch ring out to the drip line to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool — keep mulch 3 inches back from the trunk
3.If the tree is near pavement or a south-facing wall, there's not much to do after planting; factor that in before you put the next one in the ground

Black or dark olive blotches on leaves by late summer, leaves dropping 4-6 weeks early

Likely Causes

Tar spot (Rhytisma acerinum) — a fungal disease, purely cosmetic, spreads via infected leaf litter
Anthracnose (Discula sp.) — also fungal, more likely after a cool wet spring

What to Do

1.Rake and bag all fallen leaves in autumn — don't compost them; removing the litter breaks the fungal cycle year over year
2.No spray is warranted on a healthy established tree; tar spot won't kill it, and Brandywine's dense canopy will fill back in
3.If anthracnose is defoliating young trees two or more years running, ask your county extension office about a preventive copper fungicide timed to bud break

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Brandywine Red Maple?▼

Plant in spring or fall when the tree is dormant. Spring planting (March-May) gives roots time to establish before summer heat, while fall planting (September-November) allows root development over winter. Avoid planting in summer heat or during frost risk. Choose a location with full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours) and moist, well-drained soil for best fall color development.

How long does it take for Brandywine Red Maple to show fall color?▼

Brandywine Red Maple typically develops fall color earlier than standard red maples, usually beginning in late summer (August-September in northern regions). The brilliant orange-red to deep red foliage lasts longer than typical varieties, often persisting into November. Full color intensity increases with tree maturity and can take 3-5 years to reach peak performance.

Is Brandywine Red Maple good for beginners?▼

Yes, this variety is an excellent choice for beginners. It's rated as easy difficulty and highly adaptable to various soil conditions. Unlike some maples, Brandywine consistently produces reliable fall color without special care. It's a fast-growing native tree that tolerates both moist and drier soils, making it forgiving for novice gardeners.

How do I treat aphids and scale insects on my red maple?▼

Monitor regularly for early detection. For light infestations, spray with strong water streams or use horticultural oil in early spring. For moderate to severe cases, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap following label directions. Prune heavily infested branches. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, which promotes tender growth aphids prefer.

Can Brandywine Red Maple grow in containers?▼

While possible short-term, it's not ideal. Red maples are large trees reaching 40-50+ feet at maturity and prefer in-ground planting. Containers restrict root development and limit fall color intensity. If growing in containers, use a large pot (25+ gallons), ensure excellent drainage, water consistently, and be prepared for eventual transplanting to the landscape.

What's the difference between Brandywine and other red maple varieties?▼

Brandywine Red Maple is a superior cultivar selected specifically for earlier and longer-lasting fall color with more reliable intensity. Standard red maples have variable fall color and may color later. Brandywine demonstrates superior adaptability to soil conditions and faster, more consistent growth. Its native origin makes it more suited to landscape integration.